Drought Watch:Please stay informed of current drought conditions in New Jersey. For detailed information and updates, please visit www.njdrought.org. We are in the Coastal North Region. Please observe the ODD/EVEN watering schedule by only watering your lawn on alternate days. If you can water less frequently than every other day, please do so.

Here is a link to the Marlboro Town Ordinance on declaring a water emergency: MarlWaterEmergency

Water Usage Facts:

The average family of four uses approximately 8,000 gallons of water per month on everyday indoor activities such as washing dishes, laundry, showering and toilet flushing. In the summer, outdoor usage such as washing cars, filling a pool, watering the garden or using an underground lawn sprinkler system can more than double or triple this amount.

There is the same amount of water on the Earth today as there was 3 billion years ago. Only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater and only 1% of that amount is available for human consumption.

Living in New Jersey, especially along the coast, it is essential that we conserve water to prevent saltwater from infiltrating our aquifers. We also regularly experience drought conditions that also put a heavy burden on the limited supply of treatable water in the state. Conservation is everyone’s responsibility to protect and preserve this precious resource. Please review these recommended conservation tips and see what you can do to not only protect the water supply, but also reduce your water bill each quarter.

Conservation Tips:Indoors:

Do not leave faucets running while washing dishes or brushing teeth. Only turn on to rinse or fill the sink with water and then rinse when finished.

Replace any older plumbing fixtures such as toilets and shower heads with new low-flow models.

Check for leaks around the house often and repair immediately. A leaking toilet can easily add thousands of gallons to your bill each quarter.

Only do full loads of dishes and laundry and when purchasing new appliances, look for water-saving features.

Keep your main water shut-off valves labeled and operating properly. If you have an emergency and water is leaking or flooding in your home, you will be able to quickly shut off the source protecting the home from further damage and a high bill.

Outdoors:

Do not leave the hose running while washing car. Only use the hose to quickly wet and then rinse after using a bucket of soapy water.

Sweep sidewalks and driveways with a broom, not a hose.

Lawn watering should be done in the early morning hours to avoid evaporation. Set your sprinklers on a timer and measure how much water you are applying each time by setting out a collection dish. Deep soakings of at least 1” at a time every 3-4 days will benefit your lawn and your water bill. If it rains, you can go even longer between watering.

Check all hoses, connections, faucets and underground sprinkler systems for leaks at the beginning of each season to avoid unexpected large bills and water waste.

Apply mulch to shrubs and flower beds to avoid evaporation and control weeds.

Click here for some more helpful tips from Rutgers Cook College on conserving water on lawns and landscape.